News Release

Friday, October 5, 2007

Suspect Arrested for Multiple Counts of Molestation

Los Angeles: A suspect has been arrested for molesting two young girls at a local middle school.

On Monday, October 1, 2007, at around 2:40 p.m., Northeast Area patrol officers went to Florence Nightingale Middle School in the 3300 block of North Figueroa Street in Cypress Park. There they arrested Rodolfo Espinoza, 44, of Alhambra, for Lewd Acts with a Child.

Two female students, 12 and 13, had reported to a parent and a teacher that Espinoza had sexually abused them while on campus. Espinoza had contact with the children as a youth mentor, working with the L.A. Bridges Gang Intervention Program at the middle school. Espinoza had been employed with the program for the last 10 years.

On Wednesday, the Los Angeles District Attorney filed 7 counts of Lewd Act with a Child against Espinoza. He is being held on a $1,700,000 bail.

Detectives believe that there may be other victims and are asking anyone with information to contact Detective Alma Mercado or Detective Sharen Stallworth of the Sexually Exploited Child Unit at 213-485-6550. On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).